Overview of CAN-ASC-2.1 Outdoor spaces

The Standard on outdoor spaces envisions accessible, barrier-free, and inclusive outdoor spaces. To achieve this vision, this Standard shows value in the principle of universal accessibility that ensures no one is left behind. It contains technical requirements to be applied to the design of all newly constructed or redeveloped outdoor spaces, facilities, and areas undergoing major renovation. 

Like all of Accessibility Standards Canada’s standards, this Standard is designed to contribute to the realization of a Canada without barriers by 2040. It supports the goals of the Accessible Canada Act and Accessibility Standards Canada's mandate and is based on the disability community’s philosophy of “Nothing without us.” 

This is the first version of the standard, which was developed by the Technical Committee on outdoor spaces, under the authority of Accessibility Standards Canada management that includes experts with disabilities. This Standard is intended to align with other relevant standards such as CSA/ASC B651 Accessible design for the built environment, CSA Z614 Children’s playground equipment and surfacing, and applicable standards of Accessibility Standards Canada.

The requirements within this Standard are contained within a framework of design principles that facilitates accessibility and inclusion in outdoor spaces. The five design principles that make up this framework of are:

• context,
• identity,
• user experience,
• movement, and
• lifespan.

Key requirements are described in groups that stem from the design principle framework, and include: 

1. Site planning: these requirements come out of a complete, macro-planning perspective whereby all site elements contribute to the overall accessible journey experience of people of all ages and abilities (includes signage).
2. Common measures: these requirements define common measures for outdoor space components such as clear space, ramps, reach range, knee/toe clearance, doorways, controls, seating, stairs, sightlines, and outdoor surfaces. 
3. Facilities and furniture (fixed): these requirements are specific to parking, outdoor play areas, amenities, assembly areas, water environments, campgrounds, service animal areas, outdoor showers, outdoor toilets, passenger lift systems, and power charging stations.
4. Outdoor surfaces: the outdoor surface requirements describe trail and route specifications, permanent and temporary surfaces, water access surfaces, and other surfaces (i.e., that provide access to outdoor fire pits, cooking facilities, or hot ovens).
5. Wayfinding: the wayfinding requirements highlight specifications needed for a user to navigate through an outdoor space, starting with the planning of a trip, their arrival at the outdoor space, and continuing through as they experience the rest of their accessible journey. Wayfinding includes requirements for tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs).
6. Maintenance: the overarching maintenance requirement is for all outdoor facilities, features, surfaces, and environments to have a publicly available maintenance plan. This maintenance plan is required to provide timelines for responding to weather issues such as the clearing of ice/snow/water from surfaces.
7. Equipment: the standard has a detailed informative annex on equipment used to access outdoor activities. This annex groups the equipment by activity type or location, including:
   • campgrounds,
   • water environments,
   • winter activities,
   • trails,
   • toilet and shower facilities,
   • rest areas, and
   • equestrian activities.